Lindauer Recruits CEO for Solar One
January 18, 2022 – Lindauer has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Levin as the new chief executive officer of Solar One. CEO Deb Taft led the search along with assistant vice president Terri Rutter. “Stephen’s passion for the environment, leadership experience and deep commitment to working to improve communities make him an excellent choice to lead Solar One,” said Sara Queen, chair of the board of Solar One and managing director and head of real estate equity at MetLife Investment Management. “His time with the New York City Council uniquely qualifies him with great understanding of the imperatives of building more resilient communities and will guide him to utilize the many initiatives and programs of our organization to do so.”
Mr. Levin joins Solar One after 12 years as a member of the New York City Council for District 33, serving neighborhoods of Brooklyn including Greenpoint, parts of Williamsburg, Vinegar Hill, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill and parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant. During his tenure as a council member, and as chair of the New York City council’s general welfare committee, he focused on ensuring homeless families and individuals have access for permanent housing and guaranteeing long-term support for those in the foster care system. During his tenure, Councilmember Levin served on multiple committees including the environmental protection, land use, cultural affairs, education and transportation committees, as well as the land use subcommittee on landmarks and public siting.
Among other accomplishments, Mr. Levin negotiated multiple land use projects, expanded affordable housing, and increased access to open spaces. He was instrumental in the development of the 27-acre Bushwick Inlet Park in Williamsburg. He sponsored legislation to remove PCBs from NYC schools and cosponsored the Climate Mobilization Act, the largest climate solution put forth by any city in the world, consisting of a slate of climate laws designed to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions in New York City.
Mr. Levin will lead the organization in its next phase of growth, building on a strong financial foundation, highly regarded programs, and strong partnerships with government agencies and community groups. “I am thrilled to be joining the amazingly talented Solar One team,” he said. “In order to confront the existential challenges of climate change, we must do our part in New York City to move to a sustainable future right here, and Solar One has been at the forefront of this movement for years.”
Mr. Levin will also provide critical leadership as the organization supports a transition to clean energy and creates a more sustainable urban environment through skills and technology. He will lead in the dynamic partnership Solar One has with the Economic Development Corp., facilitating the stewardship of Stuyvesant Cove Park on the East River below 23rd Street, and a new Solar One Environmental Education Center to be built at the park in the near future, establishing an accessible solar-powered facility providing programming for all New Yorkers.
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Solar One’s mission is to advance energy justice through the design and delivery of innovative education, training, and technical assistance that foster sustainability and resilience in diverse urban environments.
Serving Non-Profits
Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals and academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. It has led searches for the Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin and the Cockrell School of Engineering, among others.
Ms. Taft leads Lindauer with over 25 years of executive and senior-level experience across the non-profit sector, from education to healthcare/academic medicine to the youth service and voluntary sectors. Her expertise includes governance, strategic planning, fundraising, program and staff management, strategic marketing, analytics, and constituent engagement, as well as talent recruitment, retention, and development.
Ms. Rutter brings a wide array of non-profit, advancement and communications and marketing expertise to Lindauer, excelling in placing top leaders and executing team builds in multiple sectors. Having served in various senior advancement and management roles, she is well-versed in the responsibilities of leadership. Ms. Rutter is experienced in recruiting executive directors, SVPs and VPs, national directors, and high-level frontline fundraisers and marketing and communications professionals for a broad range of world-class educational and medical institutions and national non-profits. Past and current clients include Boston Children’s Hospital, City of Hope, George Washington University, George Washington University Medical and Health Sciences, Colby College, Phillips Academy, JDRF, Massachusetts General Hospital, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Climate Central, Chautauqua Institution, Institute for Advanced Study, Life University, Washington State University and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
